Director, Communications

ABOUT THE COUNCIL ON FOUNDATIONS

The Council on Foundations is a nonprofit membership association that serves as a guide for philanthropies as they advance the greater good. Building on a 75-year history, the Council supports over 900 member organizations in the United States and around the world to build trust in philanthropy, expand pathways to giving, engage broader perspectives, and co-create solutions that will lead to a better future for all. The Council on Foundations fosters an environment where philanthropy can thrive and cultivates a community of diverse and skilled philanthropic professionals and organizations who lead with integrity, serve as ethical stewards, and advocate for progress.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Director, Communications provides leadership, planning, and execution for the Council’s external presence, including messaging, media relations, and coalition-style coordination of the charitable sector’s communications efforts. This position is new and reports to the Vice President, Communications and Content. The Director, Communications is responsible for supervising an Associate, Communications.

PRIMARY JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategy and Organizational Development

• Design, lead, and execute a communications strategy with measurable goals and outcomes, leveraging internal collaboration, storytelling, and traditional and new media channels.
• Manage all aspects of media relations and public relations, including the preparation of press releases, talking points, FAQs, and other materials as needed; building relationships with journalists to generate coverage; and tracking and reporting on media coverage and opportunities.
• Oversee executive communications and thought leadership.
• Lead sector coordination on high-priority topics, including unified messaging and earned and paid media campaigns.
• Oversee the Council’s style, brand voice and visuals, and messaging, ensuring that internal resources are forward-thinking and updated regularly.
• In partnership with the Vice President, Communications and Content, act as an ambassador and resource for the Council’s Better Stories, Better Language portfolio.
• In partnership with the Content team, build and maintain a story database that reflects best practices and targets key issues and legislative districts.
• Act as a project manager to drive projects to completion.
• Ensure consistent messaging across the Council and its ambassadors through training and creating resources for staff, board, and partners.
• Model the Council’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion and lead efforts to embed this commitment in organizational systems and programs.

Team Leadership and Development

• Provide managerial oversight, guidance, and direction to direct reports.
• Contribute to organizational goals by participating in cross-functional working groups.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Ten (10) years of directly related experience in communications, public relations, or public affairs.
• Two (2) years of experience leading an organization’s external communications function, including media campaigns.
• Two (2) years of experience in an advocacy, legislative, or policy-making environment.

POSITION SPECIFIC COMPETENCIES

• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including experience preparing press materials, web content, marketing materials, speeches, and presentations.
• Experience proactively building media relationships and responding to press requests.
• Strong project management and analytical skills, with the ability to meet deadlines.
• Experience supervising and coaching junior and mid-level staff and overseeing vendors.
• Experience using web content management systems, preferably Drupal.
• Experience using marketing platforms, preferably Hubspot, Constant Contact, or Mailchimp.

GENERAL COMPETENCIES (REQUIRED OF ALL STAFF)

• Ability to actively engage in and demonstrate commitment to the Council’s Operating Principles and Race, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion values.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, the ability to listen well, and positively represent the organization and its mission.
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy.
• Ability to identify and solve problems efficiently and quickly.
• Ability to manage many and/or differing tasks, maintain productivity, and successfully meet deadlines.
• Ability to work effectively and positively both independently and on a team with a range of individuals and working styles, and with people at all organization levels including staff, board members, foundation officers, donors, and vendors.
• Experience or ability to use CRM database solutions, preferably Salesforce.
• Proficient skill in Microsoft Office 365 applications.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

This job is primarily remote, with 10% travel required. The salary range for this position for Washington DC/DMV area candidates is $132,000 – $142,000. Compensation will be adjusted for other geographic locations.

Please visit this page on our website for more information on our benefits and values.

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The work environment and physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

TO APPLY

Interested candidates should apply by using the application form. Chaloner will review all applicants and, upon qualification, contact you to determine next steps.